Issue 4 | April 24, 2015

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Editor-In-ChiefNatasha Jones

Assistant EditorsTrenton Canada

Jillian Carpenter

Design EditorChristin Rottenberger

Faculty Adv isorJeremiah Massengale

Sta ff WritersAutumn Cooney

Lydia JayShyann NorrisAshton Rector

Sta ff PhotographerJay Sanksakulchai

Editor ia l Rev iew BoardLisa Bartram

Marianne Worthington

- 7609 College Station Drive Williamsburg, Ky 40769

(606-539-4172

/patriotnewspaper @UCThePatriot

*thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu

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The Patriot is the biweekly student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timelyand original content by highlighting campus news and views.

Award-winning member of the Kentucky Press Association.

CONTENTS

UCTHEPATRIOT

From UC Patriot to US Marshal

Making it up as you go

Living in Spotlight

Convo

Letter from the Editor: Why College Media Matters

Diane Sawyer once said, “Every time somebody tries to go in and reinvent what wedo, it always ends up being more about technology and sets, and flash and dash, forgettingthe main thing, which is interesting people saying interesting, important things.” In thedigital age we live in, communication is almost instantaneous with information spreadingfaster and easier. But through the test of time, television, print news and radio will remainsome of the biggest outlets for communication and UC’s student media facilities are nodifferent.

This award-winning student newspaper, The Patriot, is open to any and all who wantto participate. No matter what their major, many students working for The Patriot through-out the years have contributed photographs, opinion pieces, reviews, news, and, perhapsmost notably, feature stories about their fellow students. The Patriot has spotlighted in-credible students who are doing incredible things on our campus. And almost every springsemester, the last issue contains a number of senior profiles highlighting the experiencesof several graduating students. Our next issue will have that same focus again. The Patriotis a publication created by students with the interests of other students in mind, whichhelps to unite our campus. And like The Patriot, WCCR and the Digital Media Studiogive students more chances to tell meaningful stories that are sent out into world.

WCCR 94.5 FM, The Patriot and the Digital Media Studio give students the powerand accessibility to reach out to their peers and share ideas and content to bridge the gapbetween a campus to a community. In addition to giving students training in a number ofcareer settings, these media outlets are important, whether all students realize it or not.The students who participate in those groups are helping to be a voice to (and for) theirfellow students.

College media is something that can sometimes be taken for granted, but it’s trulyjust as vital in connecting people as social media is. Which is why our staff here at ThePatriot, pour so much energy into our paper in hopes of best serving our readers. We hopeyou enjoy.

Sincerely,Editor-in-ChiefNatasha Jo nes

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Tedarrius Teasey, a junior at the University of the Cumberlands, has beengiven the opportunity to intern with the United States Marshals Service this se-mester. The USMS is known as the oldest federal law enforcement agency andis responsible for security within the federal judicial system, prisoner securityand transportation, witness protection, and various tactical operations.

Although it is a one-hour drive to the Knoxville headquarters from UC’scampus, Teasey will have more knowledge about the USMS and what the futureholds for him. Upon starting this internship, Teasey has already been introducedto several tasks including entering prisoner information into law enforcementdatabases and many other organizational tasks such as verifying files to ensureinmates serve their allotted time and are not released during that sentence pre-vious to the time of their federal sentence. Teasey will get to sit in on numerouscourt sessions while interning and witness less lethal training sessions for theUS Marshals. Teasey’s experience will carry a lot of weight on future careerapplications and the experience will take him far in life. Teasey could even gainan upcoming job with the Marshals.

Teasey said, “When the Marshals Service asked me to come in for an inter-

view, I was very nervous and apprehensive. I desperately wanting to intern withthe agency, but I was very nervous at the same time.” While he was nervous, Teasey pressed forward and took the interview. Teaseysaid once he got there the people he would soon be spending most of his timewith were very friendly and easy to talk to. He said, “I knew then that I wouldenjoy my time there.”

At this point, Teasey has been traveling to their office in Knoxville twotimes a week since January. He explained that he looks forward to going everytime. Even as an intern, Teasey is expected to do his work as an official USDeputy Marshal. After asking Teasey about some of his daily duties, he said,“From entering data in criminal databases, to sex offender compliance checks,I have been exposed to a lot. Now that I have shown them that I can work effi-ciently, they tell me that I am basically one of them.” Although this is not a typical internship, Teasey is very fortunate that he hasbeen given this opportunity. He said in time he hopes to get a job with the USMarshals but getting hired right out of college can be difficult but not impossi-ble.

From UC Patriot to US Marshal

BY SHYANN NORRIS

Sta ff Writer

Photo submitted by Tedarrius Teasey

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Photo by Jil lian Carpenter

Confusion

BY TRENTON CANADA & ASHTON RECTOR

Many University of the Cumberlands students are under the impressionthat a passing grade in convocation is required in order to earn graduationstatus at the end of their undergraduate career. Upon investigation into thismatter, this information was found to be largely inaccurate.

“As far as the graduation requirement goes, unless you are exempted byage, it is a requirement that convocation be listed on your transcript for everysemester up until senior status for you to graduate,” said UC registrar ChuckDupier III. “What you earn in convocation is up to you.”

Convocation, as listed in the current undergraduate catalog, is a require-ment for the course schedule of every student that has not reached senior sta-tus, with at least 96 credit hours earned. However, it does not specify thatstudents who are enrolled in convocation need to receive a passing grade inorder to reach the graduation requirements. The penalty for failing convoca-tion is simply a reflection on a student’s GPA, not a requirement for gradua-tion.

“Failing convocation will negatively affect your GPA, but you also haveto remember that passing convocation will improve your GPA… If a studenthas even one failing grade in convocation throughout his/her academic career,that student will not be able to be recognized as a Summa, Magna or CumLaude student, regardless of the earned GPA,” said Dupier.

However, when asked if a student had to pass convocation in order tograduate, director of convocation and church relations, Dr. Rick Fleenor, said,“The easiest answer to this is yes.”

Fleenor added, “The official policy is in the catalogue, and that’s theguideline, always… Whatever’s listed in the catalogue is what the registrar’soffice must abide by; it’s what the students must abide by.”

Another confusing aspect of convocation is the effect it has on registra-

tion for upcoming classes. Dupier added, “If the student continually receivesfailing grades in convocation, the director of convocation can place a stopon the student’s account that will keep them from registering for classes. Theonly way this stop can be removed is by scheduling a meeting with the di-rector of convocation.”

Wesley Graham, a UC junior, is among a number of students who havefaced difficulty in earning all of the convocation requirements. Grahamstated, “Last semester I had been heavily involved in the UC Theatre’s pro-duction of ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ I had work from 1 to 5 every day and re-hearsals went from 7 to 10 every night. Convocation is usually scheduledduring that time, so I was missing a few attendances. I emailed Dr. Fleenor,and he took a written assignment in place of attendance, which allowed meto pass.”

As UC’s student population has grown, the ticket policy was added toconvocation. Students are required to stop by the student services office, dur-ing office hours, to pick up a ticket to reserve a seat at a convocation event.If no tickets are available, students can come to the event and wait in a stand-by seating line, but they are not guaranteed a seat.

When asked why convocation events are not held in the O. WayneRollins Center, where adequate seating is available, Fleenor said, “We couldhold every event in the Rollins Center, but imagine what it would be like foryou to be the person who was on stage with a 1,500 seat, fixed seating capa-bility with the seats on the sides and in the back and 200, 500 more or so onthe floor and 50 people show up or 100 people show up. It’d be kind of likespeaking in a cave to a really small crowd.”

Convocation

Passing Convocation not required for graduation,solely affects GPA

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Photo submnitted

According to the authorized spring 2015 convocation schedule, themajority of events offered take place in the evening, which poses anotherobstacle for commuters, many of whom have families or night jobs thatrequire their focus. The inability to attend convocations due to prior obli-gations leaves these students, who do not meet the age requirement to beexempted from convocation enrollment, with a failing grade.

Melissa Bundy, a recently married commuter at UC, has a difficulttime meeting all of the convocation requirements. Bundy said, “I hate it.It's just a hassle. It’s hard going home and having to clean and cook andbe a wife and then have to leave in the evening to drive 30 minutes awayfor an event that’s not worth it. Then I have to go home and finish doingall the things I have to do. It’s just a real inconvenience.”

On the other hand, UC student Hayley Davis recognizes that otherstudents have concerns but believes the administration values student inputabout convocation. Davis said, “Obviously, it’s not perfect and the admin-istration still has work to do, but they are so listening to us. They do carewhat we say.”

Earlier this semester, UC students participated in the Student OpinionSurvey and were asked about their contentment with convocation and thevariety of programs offered. The 2015 results, provided by Fleenor,showed 223 students were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, while 385 stu-dents were either satisfied or very satisfied.

According to statistics provided by Dupier, the number of studentswho failed CONV 101 (convocation) in relation to those enrolled is 8.46percent as of the fall 2014 semester.

Other universities require convocation for their students, yet it is struc-tured differently. Campbellsville University, for example, requires thattheir students receive 48 cumulative attendances after enrolling in 7 ormore semesters and are allowed to make up attendance failures by writingup to three book reports and watching videos of the convocation programsthat were missed.

Fleenor added, “Every email we send every week says if you’ve gotquestions, come see me. We’ll be glad to help.”

Convocation Grading Policy as stated in 2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog: As a requirement for graduation all full-time students in the undergraduate program,with less than senior standing (96 semester hours), must enroll in CONV 101-01 forevery semester of enrollment. Students who are 25 years of age or older at the time oftheir enrollment are exempt from this requirement. There are no other exemptions.

Credit for convocation is Pass/Fail with 0.50 academic credit hours available each se-mester. The grade received is factored into the student’s cumulative grade point aver-age. Students who do not meet attendance expectations for each category will receivea failing grade (F) in Convocation for that semester. Students with a failing grade (F)in Convocation are not eligible for Academic Honors.

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Photo by Jil lian Carpenter

Advice about long-distance relationships

An Interview with Ben CallBY LYDIA JAY

Sta ff Writer

Ben Call is a student at the University of theCumberlands and was formerly a thriving contestantin the singing competition held in the spring knownas spotlight. In this interview we talk about how hefound out about spotlight, what it was like being inspotlight, who he is rooting for to take home theprize, and if he plans to try out next spring.

1.) How did you find out about Spotlight?I found out about Spotlight for the first time when Iarrived at University of the Cumberlands during thesummer for the SOAR freshman orientation. I be-lieve a girl had spoken to me about what Spotlightis and what it’s about, and the reward you will get ifyou win. That originally sparked my interest but Ididn’t really think much of joining Spotlight. How-ever, this year my friends suggested that I try out soI decided that I would give it a go, just have somefun.

2.) What advice would you give someone inter-ested in trying out for Spotlight?The advice I would give someone is to just be con-fident in yourself, your song choices. I feel asthough a lot of people tend to be concerned aboutwhat the audience is going to think or what the othercontestants are going to think as far as your songchoice goes. Just be confident in who you are andwhat you are doing and don’t worry about what oth-ers think.

3.) What was it like being in Spotlight?It was a good time; it was fun I really enjoyed my-self and the people I met. I like all the contestants Imet for sure. Even the people in CAB and those in-

volved in putting Spotlight together. The best thingabout it, honestly, was meeting and being aroundnew people. I made good friendships for sure.

4. )Do you plan to try out for Spotlight again nextspring?Well, we’ll see. It was a lot of work and time con-suming; I say that because in doing things like thisyou want to do a good job in preparing for every-thing. I didn’t want to go out there and do a crappyjob and not take it seriously. So, I want to put a lotof time into it. There are no ill feelings towardsSpotlight or anyone involved. It really just dependson if I have the time.

5.) What did you feel was your best performanceand why?I think my best performance—well, a solid one forme—would be was when I did Katy Perry’s “TheOne That Got Away.” I thought I did a good job; Igot to use the harmonica in that performance. Ididn’t try to do anything too crazy. I just kept it sim-ple and true to the song. But I also like my last per-formance, which was “Crazy In Love” although Ihate that song. But I just changed it and adjusted thesong and that made me happy with the performance.The idea I had for that performance went well so I was really proud of that performance.

6.) What are some changes that can be made inSpotlight? Some changes? I’m not sure. I guess, I felt like ittook a long time, like large gaps in between breaksand performances, which that can be good but I feelas though you can lose your audience. I noticed dur-

ing the performances, which may be different for thefinale performance. But there were less people com-ing than in the beginning which in result caused lesspeople coming to support their friends. I guess I justthink people got tired and didn’t want to come outeventually. That’s my only change really.

7.) What are the pros and the cons to being onSpotlight?The pros, if you like to sing you get to sing. I thinkeveryone’s nice to you when you’re in Spotlight.Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. A con is yougetting voted off and the chances of that happening.I mean no one likes getting voted off or losing.Chances are you’re going to loose.

8.) What is something you would do differentlygoing into Spotlight?Honestly, I don’t think I would change anything formy first time through. I think all my performanceswere fine, I mean I don’t think changing thatwould’ve helped me at all as far as doing somethingradically different. So, I don’t think I would changeanything.

9.) What did you like most about being in Spot-light?I really liked performing honestly, just singing in myown way. Even though it was a lot of work preparingthose songs. But I just really like creating my ownversion to the songs or something I didn’t reallychange any song drastically; I just stayed kind oftrue to what the actual artist have done. I was justmaking a cover basically. I just enjoyed playing thepiano that was fun for me.

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Features

Almost everyone dreams of becoming a superstar and performing infront of a cheering crowd. While that dream seems somewhat unattainable,University of the Cumberlands helps make that dream become a bit of re-ality with The Spotlight.

So what’s it like to actually be in The Spotlight? Balancing classes,homework, work study, and a social life is challenging enough as is.Adding countless rehearsals to my schedule throughout the week mademy life that much more stressful. Whatever free time I had was dedicatedto learning lyrics, rhythms, and trying my hardest to perfect that week’sperformance. When it came to Spotlight itself, my biggest challenge Duets Week. It wasmy first time being on the stage in a long time, with a complete stranger,so I was nervous of how the performance would turn out. Junior DeVeauxand I performed “Mine” by Beyoncé and Drake, with which was a chal-lenge because I had never heard the song until we met. Honestly, I wasafraid that performing an unknown song would get me booted off in thefirst round.

I had about six days to learn the ins and outs of the song while tryingto make my parts unique to my voice. Luckily, Junior and I put on a greatshow and made it to the first round of solo performances.

After the first performance, I sort of felt like a celebrity. Not a huge,show-stopping, “Oh, my gosh can I have your autograph?” celebrity,though. I felt like most of campus knew who I was, and that was totally

strange. I had people I had never seen on campus before come up to methroughout the following few days and talk to me about my performance.It was kind of awesome; I’m not gonna lie.

Stepping away from the glitz and glamor that is Spotlight, I was stilla student that had academic responsibilities. I still had to wake up on time,go to all of my classes, and do any assignments that were thrown my way.In reality, it wasn’t super difficult, but it was just tough enough to throwme off my game for a few weeks. On Tuesdays I would go to my classes,get any big responsibilities out of the way, get ready for the night’s per-formance, do sound check, grab a quick meal, and then head back to Gatlifffor the show.

I would basically run around campus like a chicken with its head cutoff trying to make sure I had everything done. That was probably the moststressful part of the entire experience, in my opinion. As a performer, youwant to be able to perfect your performance, which is sort of hard to dowhile trying to make sure you still have your life together.

Overall, auditioning for Spotlight and getting to be a part of the expe-rience for a short while was awesome. It’s something that I would recom-mend to anybody who has a knack for getting on stage and singing theirheart out. It could land you great memories and good friends… or maybe$1,000. You never know until you try.

Living in the Spotlight

BY CHRISTIN ROTTENBERGER

Design Editor

Photo courtesy of Campus Activities Board

An insider’s perspective

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Sara Jo Hampton annunced as the Spotlight season 3 winner

Jessica Villegas performing “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt

Trey Bryant giving his all during the Spotlight finale

Former contestants bring the house down with a medley

Spotlight Finale

Photos by: Jay Sanksakulchai a nd Brody Nolan

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Feature

I’ve often heard people say that when you get older, you’re not going to re-gret the things you did so much as the things you didn’t do. Anyone who knowsme knows that more often than not, you won’t catch me wearing two matchingsocks. Some might look at my fight and attribute it to laziness, others mightlook and think I do it for fun or to make some sort of statement, and of coursethere are those who could care less either way. The fact is, as soon as my clothesare dry, and gather all my socks and toss them in a single drawer, and when Ineed socks I simply grab two.

Am I lazy? Maybe sometimes, yes, but who isn’t? Laziness has nothing todo with the uncoordinated socks on my feet. Separating, matching, folding, andputting away clean socks after a weekly load of laundry takes about 15-20 min-utes. Scooping them into a pile and tossing them in your sock drawer takesabout 30 seconds. Fifteen minutes might not seem like a lot to set aside for an

activity like this, but growing up, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve walkedinto my parents’ bedroom to see an array of socks spread across their king-sizedbed and heard the words, “No, I can’t right now, I’ve got to match socks.”

That was never really a huge issue. I never gave it much thought until, oneevening I had an array of socks across my bed and received a text from a closefriend asking if I could do lunch in 15 minutes. I texted the words, “No, I’msorry. I can’t right now, I’ve got to pair my socks.” Before hitting send, it hitme: 70-80 years from now I’m not going to be glad I spent 15 minutes matchingmy socks. I might, however, keep the memory of a pleasant lunch with a friendforever. I erased my text, threw my socks in a drawer, and sent the word “yes.” Life’s too short to match socks.

Life’s Too Short To Match Socks

BY SYDNEY FREEMAN

Sta ff Writer

Photo by Sydney Freeman

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Photo by Ramona Rosales

Making it up as you go

BY JILLIAN CARPENTER

Assistant Editor

As children, we come up with ideas of what we want to do when wegrow up, all seeming ridiculous to our parents. Astronaut, pop star, stuntdouble. A makeup artist is, without a doubt, one of these professions. Theproblem is, we get these ideas from the people we see actually doing these"unrealistic" careers. If there are people all over the world who are astro-nauts, pop stars, presidents, and makeup artists, then how far-fetched couldthese paths be? University of the Cumberlands offers a class to introduce you to the worldof makeup design, but you don't have to let it stop there. Becoming amakeup artist is more attainable than you think.

University of the Cumberlands Theatre department offers a makeupclass every other fall semester, taught by Dr. Carl Walling. Throughoutthe course, students will learn basic makeup necessary for stage, plus spe-cial effects including bruises, abrasions, faux hair application, and how todraw makeup renderings on paper. My favorite part of the course is theopportunity to use what you have learned to create something all yourown. Each student will be asked to apply their new knowledge by creatingmakeup designs for characters in a chosen play for the semester. Even ifthis is just a hobby, there is no reason why, if you are interested in makeup,you shouldn't take this course.

As far as makeup as a true calling comes, there are people out therewho find that someone can just as easily be meant for makeup design asdentistry or psychology. Seth Baker, 19, from Virginia, turned his desirefor clear skin into a love for makeup design that has over 12,000 followerson Instagram.

Baker said, "I found makeup during my senior year of high schooland began covering up some of my acne. My confidence increased dra-matically. Soon after, I found out about body painting through YouTubeand decided to give it a try." Baker has been fortunate enough to nowhave the support of family and friends through his body painting endeav-ors and job as a freelance makeup artist, although it wasn't always thatway. "Once I got into beauty makeup, some people in my life became alittle uncomfortable with it. I love what I do and no one is going to stopme. I understand that people have different views on a man wearingmakeup but it didn't affect me. I'm thankful that everyone in my life thatwas uncomfortable with it is comfortable with it now," says Baker.

Baker understands that many people don't get this acceptance. Instead,many people have to fight to be able to follow a non-conventional path.To those people, he says, "There is always going to be someone that does-n't agree with what you're doing. Never give up on something you love.Caring what other people think about you is only going to pull you fartheraway from your dream."

For all those makeup enthusiasts on campus, UC’s makeup class willdefinitely improve your makeup skills and leave you open to trying newmethods. The class taught me to be comfortable with trying things that Iwouldn't normally, such as using chalk pastels as body paint. To those whowant to try makeup design as a career or as a freelance job, this class willalso give you skills that you need. To those who are afraid to admit thatthey want to try this, take Seth Baker's words of advice, and do what youlove.

Photo courtesy of Seth Backer. Used with permission.

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Sp

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The University of the Cumberlands woman's golf team was victoriousApril 10 and 11 in the Indiana Wesleyan golf tournament at Harbour TraceGolf Club. The woman's team fired a 313 the first day, in 20 mph wind, totake the lead by 11 over Sienna Heights golf team and a 29 shot lead overMarion University. The second day's scores were slightly higher than thefirst day for the girls but was enough to obtain a victory, beating secondplace Sienna Heights by 12 shots overall.

The break out Cumberlands player was sophomore Annabeth McKay,who won her first college tournament shooting the lowest round of thetournament the first day with a 75 and shooting 78 the second day. McKay said, "It feels absolutely amazing to win my first college tourna-ment. I've been trying to post some good rounds for quite a while now and

to finally be on the top of the podium makes all of that hard work com-pletely worth it."

There were two other Cumberlands who placed this tournament: soph-omore Rachel Pingelton shot 78,78 to finish second and freshman KaitlinRiley who shot 77,81 to finish tied third. Head UC golf coach ChrisKraftick commented, "Great to pick up a win before the conference cham-pionship.”

He added, “I think we are finally getting healthy and ready to make arun," referring to the many injuries and obstacles the team has faced in thepast months. The team will compete in the Conference Championship atMaywood golf club in Bardstown Kentucky April 19-21.

Woman’s Golf team wins Indiana Wesleyan Golf Tournament

BY BRI TOK ARIWSKI

Sta ff Writer

Photos by Bri Tokar iwski